SENATE DOCKET, NO. 3240        FILED ON: 5/28/2024

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2797

May 28, 2024

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives,

I am filing for your consideration An Act to rename the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to the Executive Office of Aging and Independence.

The Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) was established more than 50 years ago and was one of the nation’s first agencies responsible for addressing the needs of older people. Today, the agency manages programs and services that are available to 1.7 million older adults and their family caregivers and supports an extensive aging services network. These programs and services provide supports to help people age in the community of their choice, most often in their home or other community-based setting.

The agency strives to be the trusted, first point of contact for older adults and their caregivers. However, research has shown the growing older population does not identify with the term “elder.” Modernizing the agency’s name reduces negative images about aging, normalizes aging as a natural process and emphasizes that older people value independence and self-determination.

This legislation changes the name of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, to the Executive Office of Aging and Independence. In addition, the legislation replaces “elder,” “elderly person(s),” and “senior citizen(s)” with “older adult(s),” replaces references to “handicapped” and “disabled” with “adult with a disability,” and incorporates gender neutral language.

The new name will increase awareness of services for all older residents of the Commonwealth and confirm the agency’s mission: “together, we support aging adults to live and thrive safely and independently – how and where they want.”

For the reasons stated above, I urge your favorable consideration and prompt enactment of this legislation.

Respectfully submitted,

Maura T. Healey,

Governor

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2797

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

An Act to rename the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to the Executive Office of Aging and Independence.

Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to promote equity and increase opportunities for older adults by renaming the office and updating language used to more accurately reflect the values and core mission of the agency, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public convenience.
 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 69 of chapter 3 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 3 to 4, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 2. Section 71 of chapter 3 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 5, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 3. Section 17A of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 3 to 4, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 4. Section 127 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 10, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 5. Section 181 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 9, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 6. Section 189 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 11, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 7. Section 217 of chapter 6 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 18, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 8. Section 16 of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 21, 22, and 44, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 9. Section 16B of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 17, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 10. Section 16T of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 6, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 11. Section 16CC of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 12 to 13, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 12. Section 16DD of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 27, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 13. Section 18L of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 37, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 14. Section 73 of chapter 13 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 4 to 5, the words “elder affairs or his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence or their.

SECTION 15. Section 3 of chapter 17 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 26, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 16. Section 17 of chapter 17 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 3, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 17. Section 2 of chapter 18 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 173, 176, 183 to 184, 185 to 186, 188, and 194, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 18. Section 10 of chapter 18 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 20, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 19. Section 28 of chapter 18 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 16, the words “elder affairs or his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence or their.

SECTION 20. Section 1 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 1, 3, and 8, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 21. Section 1 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 11 and 12, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- their.

SECTION 22. Section 1 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 22, the words “elderly persons” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adults.

SECTION 23. Section 2 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 3, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 24. Section 2 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 7, 8, and 11, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- their.

SECTION 25. Section 2 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 12, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- the.

SECTION 26. Section 3 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 5 and 7, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- the secretary.

SECTION 27. Section 3 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 6, the words “he may”.

SECTION 28. Section 3 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 18, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- their.

SECTION 29. Section 4 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 4, 10, 14, 16, 63, 65 to 66, 69, 71, 78, 80 to 81, 85 to 86, 89, 93, and 106, the words “elderly persons” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adults.

SECTION 30. Section 4 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 6, the words “the elderly” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adults.

SECTION 31. Section 4 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 8 to 9, the words “the adult handicapped” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- adults with disabilities.

SECTION 32. Section 4 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 73, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- them.

SECTION 33. Section 4 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 100, the word “elder” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adult.

SECTION 34. Section 4 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 45, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- this.

SECTION 35. Section 4 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 104, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- their.

SECTION 36. Section 4B of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 4 to 5, the words “elderly persons” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adults.

SECTION 37. Section 4B of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 11, 29, 31, 54, 55, 59, and 109, the words “elders” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adults.

SECTION 38. Section 4B of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 64, each time it appears, and 70, the word “elder” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adult.

SECTION 39. Section 4C of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 5, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 40. Section 4C of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 47, the words “the elderly” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adults.

SECTION 41. Section 5 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 2, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- they.

SECTION 42. Section 5 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 4, the words “elderly persons” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adults.

SECTION 43. Section 5 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 5, the words “the elderly” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adults.

SECTION 44. Section 5 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 9, the words “senior citizens” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adult.

SECTION 45. Section 7 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 4, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- their.

SECTION 46. Section 9 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 3, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the secretary.

SECTION 47. Section 10 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 2, the words “he has” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- they have.

SECTION 48. Section 10 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 5, 7, and 18, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- they.

SECTION 49. Section 10 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 6, 8, 9, and 13, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- their.

SECTION 50. Section 10 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 16, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- them.

SECTION 51. Section 11 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 3, the words “the elderly” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adults.

SECTION 52. Section 12 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 8, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 53. Section 12 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 9 to 10, the words “the elderly” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adults.

SECTION 54. Section 12 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 16, the words “he has” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- they have.

SECTION 55. Section 12 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 17 and 34, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the secretary.

SECTION 56. Section 14 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 5, 6, 6 to 7, 8, 14 to 15, 17, 22, 23, 27 to 28, 29, 32, 36 to 37, 40 to 41, 43, and 47, the words “elderly person” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adult.

SECTION 57. Section 14 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 50 to 51, the words “elderly persons” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adults.

SECTION 58. Section 14 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 21, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 59. Section 14 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 7, the word “him” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- them.

SECTION 60. Section 15 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 9 to 10, 21, 30, and 49, the words “elderly person” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adult.

SECTION 61. Section 16 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 2 to 3, the words “elderly persons” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adults.

SECTION 62. Section 16 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 6, the words “the elderly” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adults.

SECTION 63. Section 16 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 7, the word “elderly” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adult.

SECTION 64. Section 16 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 12 and 41, the words “elderly person” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adult.

SECTION 65. Section 16 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 29 to 30, the words “elderly person’s” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adult’s.

SECTION 66. Section 16 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 34, the word “elders” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adults.

SECTION 67. Section 17 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 3 and 7, the words “elderly person” and inserting in the place thereof the following words:- older adult.

SECTION 68. Section 17 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 3 to 4, the words “his or her” and inserting in the place thereof the following word:- their.

SECTION 69. Section 18 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 4 to 5, 8, 12 to 13, 16 to 17, and 23, the words “elderly person” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adult.

SECTION 70. Section 18 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 7 and 14, the words “elderly person’s” and inserting in place thereof the words:- older adult’s.

SECTION 71. Section 18 of Chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 39, the words “elderly persons” and inserting in place thereof the words:- older adults.

SECTION 72. Section 19 of Chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 1 and 6, the words “elderly person” and inserting in place thereof the words:- older adult.

SECTION 73. Section 20 of Chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 2, 5, 10, 12, 14 to 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 27 to 28, 32, 39, 43, 48 to 49, 50, 52, 53, 58, 60 to 61, 68, each time it appears, and 70, the words “elderly person” and inserting in place thereof the words:- older adult.

SECTION 74. Section 20 of Chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 70, the words “his or her” and inserting in place thereof the word:- their.

SECTION 75. Section 21 of Chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 3 to 4, 7, and 20, the words “elderly person” and inserting in place thereof the words:- older adult.

SECTION 76. Section 21 of Chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 20, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the word:- their.

SECTION 77. Section 21 of Chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 23, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the word:- the.

SECTION 78. Section 22 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 3, the words “elderly persons” and inserting in place thereof the words:- older adults.

SECTION 79. Section 22 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 5, 9, 10, 11 and 14, the words “elderly person” and inserting in place thereof the words:- older adult.

SECTION 80. Section 22 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 12, the words “he or she” and inserting in place thereof the word:- they.

SECTION 81. Section 37 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 2, 6, 11, 50, and 61, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the words:- aging and independence. 

SECTION 82. Section 37 of chapter 19A of the General Laws,  is hereby amended by striking out, in line 3 to 4, 7, and 51, the words “elderly persons” and inserting in place there of the words:- older adult.

SECTION 83. Section 37 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 7 to 8, 10, 13 to 14, 19, 23, and 27 to 28, the words “the elderly” and inserting in place thereof the words:- older adults.

SECTION 84. Section 37 of chapter 19A of the General laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 61 and 62, the word “he” and inserting in place thereof the word:- they.

SECTION 85. Section 38 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking out, in line 2, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 86. Section 38 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking out, in line 3, the word “elders” and inserting in place thereof the word:- everyone.

SECTION 87. Section 38 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking out, in line 5, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the word:- their.

SECTION 88. Section 39 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking out, in line 116, the words “his or her” and inserting in place thereof the word:- their.

SECTION 89. Section 39 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 4 and 49, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the word:- aging and independence.

SECTION 90. Section 40 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking out, in line 7, the words “elder affairs or his” and inserting in place thereof the words:- aging and independence or their.

SECTION 91. Section 40 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking out, in line 9, the words “senior citizens’” and inserting in place thereof the words:- older adults’.

SECTION 92. Section 40 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking out, in line 47, the words “disabled enrollees’” and inserting in place thereof the words:- enrollees with disabilities’.

SECTION 93. Section 40 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 49 to 50, the words “disabled individuals” and inserting in place thereof the words:- individuals with disabilities.

SECTION 94. Section 42 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking out, in line 3, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 95. Section 42 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking, out in lines 55 and 56, the words “his or her” and inserting in place thereof the word:- their.

SECTION 96. Section 42 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking out, in line 57, the words “he or she” and inserting in place thereof the word:- they.

SECTION 97. Section 43 of chapter 19A of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by striking out, in line 5, “elders” and inserting in place thereof the words:- older adults.

SECTION 98. Section 1 of chapter 19D of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 25, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 99. Section 2 of chapter 19D of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 12, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- their.

SECTION 100. Section 4 of chapter 19D of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 64 to 65, the words “she or he” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- the individual.

SECTION 101. Section 9 of chapter 19D of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 10, 24, 32, 34, each time it appears, 41, and 43, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- their.

SECTION 102. Section 9 of chapter 19D of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 15, the words “her or his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- their.

SECTION 103. Section 13 of chapter 19D of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 1 and 27, the word “elderly” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adult.

SECTION 104. Section 13 of chapter 19D of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 7 and 16, the words “his or her” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- their.

SECTION 105. Section 13 of chapter 19D of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 31 to 32, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 106. Section 14 of chapter 19D of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 14, the words “the elderly and disabled” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- older adults and adults with a disability.

SECTION 107. Section 16 of chapter 19D of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 5, the words “handicapped accessibility” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- accessibility for adults with a disability.

SECTION 108. Section 16 of chapter 19D of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 21, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 109. Section 17 of chapter 19D of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 3, 4, 6, and 10, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 110. Section 17 of chapter 19D of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 6 and 8, the word “his” and inserting in place thereof the following word:- their.

SECTION 111. Section 13A of chapter 22 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 5, the words “elder affairs or his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence or their.

SECTION 112. Section 2MMMM of chapter 29 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 7, 9 to 10, 11 to 12, 15, 26 to 27, and 36, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 113. Section 2FFFFF of chapter 29 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 2, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 114. Section 2AAAAAA of chapter 29 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 8, 12, 15, and 34, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 115. Section 8B of chapter 40 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 4 and 6, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 116. Section 76 of chapter 93 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 186, 201, 204, 210, 217, 232, and 235, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 117. Section 2 of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 4, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 118. Section 3 of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 10, the words “elder affairs or his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence or their.

SECTION 119. Section 25B of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 127, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 120. Section 25C of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 140 and 187, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 121. Section 25C½  of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 46, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 122. Section 64M of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 21, the words “elder affairs or his” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence or their.

SECTION 123. Section 71 of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 245, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 124. Section 72N of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 46, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 125. Section 72W of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 10 to 11, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 126. Section 224 of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 4, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 127. Section 1 of chapter 118E of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 7, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 128. Section 2 of chapter 118E of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 4, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 129. Section 7 of chapter 118E of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 2, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 130. Section 8 of chapter 118E of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 5, 6, and 10, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 131. Section 9 of chapter 118E of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 53 and 54, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 132. Section 9D of chapter 118E of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 4, 197, 206, 209, 242, 269, 283, 285, and 289, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 133. Section 9E of chapter 118E of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 19, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 134. Section 38B of chapter 121B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 9, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 135. Section 39 of chapter 121B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 84 to 85, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 136. Section 40 of chapter 121B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 22, 58, 69, 70, and 75, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 137. Section 7 of chapter 167Eh of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 78 and 84, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 138. Section 7A of chapter 167E of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 18 and 22, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 139. Section 65C of chapter 171 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 80 to 81, and 86, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 140. Section 65C½ of chapter 171 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 18 to 19, and 22, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 141. Section 5-101 of chapter 190B of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in line 65, the words “elder affairs” and inserting in place thereof the following words:- aging and independence.

SECTION 142. This act shall take effect upon its passage.